Live and work in Thailand, and become part of our efforts to protect marine life and the environment

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Picture yourself in Thailand, drifting gently underwater in the Andaman Sea and breathing easily through your scuba equipment. Imagine doing this while contributing to important marine conservation work in Thailand. This is a great way to add experience to your CV, and it shows your interest in global environmental affairs.

On our Diving and Marine Conservation Project, you’ll work alongside experienced and passionate conservationists. You’ll spend your first week with us getting your PADI diving certificate, or doing more advanced courses if you’re already certified. Once you’re qualified, you can help with tasks like underwater surveys and coral propagation initiatives. You’ll also do work on land, such as mangrove reforestation.

You’ll live and work in Ao Nang, and stay with other volunteers in comfortable bungalows at our base camp. Free time is yours to explore the stunning beaches of Ao Nang, taste delicious Thai cuisine, or take trips to nearby islands.

End Date

Volunteers / Interns

ChildrenAges 3-14(reduced price)

Children aged 3-14 must be accompanied by at least one adult paying full price

We offer discounts for families and groups of friends travelling together. Call us on 01903 708300 for more info.

Personalised MyProjectsAbroad website, with all the information you need about your project, accommodation and destination

A free cultural awareness course

Membership to our volunteer social media groups, to share information and to get in touch

Support to help you complete registration or internship documents, if applicable

PADI diving course

Diving equipment rental

What's not included?

Flights

Visa costs (where applicable)

Is Marine Conservation volunteering in Thailand right for me?

If you like working outdoors, and want to help marine life and the environment, this project is for you.

Thinking about a career focused on conservation? Doing this project will boost your CV, and demonstrate your commitment by getting actively involved in efforts to protect our planet. It will also help set you apart from the crowd in applications and interviews, and help you develop your personal skills.

Everything you do in Thailand is geared towards preserving marine life, and helping it thrive. For example, we plant mangroves to protect coastlines and offset carbon emissions, and we educate local communities about their impact.

You don’t need previous experience to join this project. We’ll teach you everything you need to know, and our staff are there throughout to help and guide you. In addition, all of your dives are supervised by qualified Diver Masters.

This project runs year-round, and you can join from a minimum of one week. However, it is recommended to stay longer, as you’ll get to see and do much more.

What Marine Conservation work will I do in Thailand?

As a volunteer, you’ll support the work of local conservationists and actively protect marine life. You’ll also take part in educational campaigns. Here are some of the tasks you can expect to do:

Learn to dive and take part in survey dives with professional divers

Beach clean-ups along Ao Nang’s coastline

Plant and transplant mangroves as part of reforestation efforts

Raise awareness in the local community

Your work will be divided into four main categories:

Learn to dive and take part in survey dives with professional divers

In your first week as a marine conservation volunteer in Thailand, you’ll learn how to dive. You will be fitted for a mask, flippers, and a wetsuit. Alongside qualified divers, you’ll learn:

Underwater sign language

How to breathe with an oxygen tank

What to do if you lose your diving regulator (mouthpiece)

This training takes place in the base camp’s pool. By the end of your first week in Thailand, you’ll obtain your PADI Open Water Diver course. This means you can officially take part in underwater conservation work with the team. In the long run, your volunteer work will contribute to helping protect coral reefs in Thailand.

Beach clean-ups along Ao Nang’s coastline

Litter and trash is harmful to marine life and wildlife in general. With volunteers from around the world, you will walk along Ao Nang’s beaches, collecting and correctly discarding rubbish. Thousands of cigarette butts alone litter Ao Nang’s beaches.

After each beach clean-up, you’ll make notes, and share this data with local officials. This information can then be used for educational purposes, and for long-term conservation plans in the area.

Plant and transplant mangroves as part of reforestation efforts

At least once a week, you will take part in mangrove reforestation work. Get covered in mud for a good cause with significant long-term impact! Mangrove forests help protect Thailand’s coastline from erosion and they offset carbon emissions. They’re also home to a number of plants and animals.

With your own two hands, you will help dig up young mangrove plants to transplant them to areas where they spread their roots. You’ll also plant saplings.

Raise awareness in the local community

Tap into your inner teacher and get creative when prepping lessons or talks about the importance of protecting our oceans. You will go to different schools and present specific topics on the need for more aware communities. Present a fun puppet show on the importance of recycling, or an easy song on the ABCs of marine life!

You will also work in the local community, if asked. This work could include beach clean-ups, or talks on the work you’ve been doing.

Who are our project partners?

We use the PADI dive courses as our basic dive training programme. You will study and train during your first few days in Thailand.

Within a week of your arrival in Thailand, you’ll be ready to dive and assist the team with valuable underwater research work. This period of training forms an important part of your conservation work.

We are committed to preserving and restoring the marine and coastal environment. We do this through numerous activities in collaboration with multiple local and international partners. These include:

Project AWARE

Ocean Conservancy

Mangrove Action Project

The Phi Phi National Park

The Department of National Parks

Kasetsart University

Our partnerships with local and international groups shows our commitment to the conservation of marine life in and around Thailand.

Where in Thailand will I be working?

Ao Nang

You will be based in Klong Heang, Krabi province, a short distance from Ao Nang beach, and and a short drive from Krabi town. The nearest beach is about a 15-20 minute walk from the base camp.

You will live in bungalows, shared by a maximum of four volunteers at a time. The bungalows are equipped with electricity, air conditioning, and hot showers. Shared bungalows are same sex only.

You’ll dive in the Andaman Sea, and also participate in activities along Ao Nang’s beach coastline. Education campaigns will be in local schools nearby.

When not working, you can relax by the pool at the base camp, or go into Krabi Town to shop, visit a restaurant, or explore.

AIRPORT PICKUP, FLIGHTS AND VISAS

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Thailand Arrival Procedures page.

A typical day as a Marine Conservation volunteer in Thailand

A typical day in Thailand on the Conservation Project begins around 7am and ends at 4pm. Your day is packed with activities that benefit the local environment, and the community. You’ll have breakfast with the other volunteers and staff at base camp. Then, you’ll head out with Projects Abroad organised transport to your daily work.

You will follow a schedule each week in Thailand. You will take part in mangrove restoration work or beach clean ups once a week. Diving activities and surveys take place three times a week.

We also set aside time on some afternoons to have workshops, or give you time to study for underwater surveys or dive courses. You’ll also be expected to help with outreach work and conservation education programmes in schools.

As a marine conservation volunteer in Thailand, you might also visit the local aquarium to learn about the history of diving, or help clean sea turtle tanks in marine biology centres. Schedules may change according to the time of year, the weather, or the sea tides.

Lunch and dinner are served at the base camp. If you’re out on the boat for diving, you’ll have lunch there.

Free time is yours to enjoy and explore. Ao Nang and the surrounding area has numerous activities for you to do! Rock climb, go kayaking, or relax by the base camp pool.

What are the aims and impact of this Conservation Project?

The aim of this project to help threatened marine life in the Krabi area. Each year, volunteers pour their hard work and energy into valuable conservation efforts in the town, along the beach, and also when diving.

We started our Diving and Marine Conservation Project in Thailand in 2005 in response to threatened marine life populations. We are committed to preserving and restoring the marine and coastal environment

through numerous activities. To do this, we work in collaboration with multiple local and international partners.

You will work with our passionate local conservation team and volunteers from around the world. The data we collect during dives is shared with local authorities in the hope of using the information to make positive change.

Regular beach clean-ups and community outreach work also take place. The aim is to continuously educate locals on the importance of protecting their natural resources. You’ll also take part in mangrove reforestation, which contributes to long-term conservation goals in the area.

By doing marine conservation work in Thailand, you can help support and protect our oceans. Become a volunteer today to help make this happen!

Management Plans

We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.

Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.

Measuring Our Impact

Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.

Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.

FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION

You'll share accommodation with other Projects Abroad volunteers and interns during your stay in Ao Nang. This is a great way to get to know your fellow volunteers and interns, share experiences, and explore your surroundings in your free time together.

The accommodation is safe, clean, and comfortable. Your programme fees include three meals a day.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND FREE TIME

Experience the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Southeast Asia. Thailand is an unforgettable country with plenty of enticing things for you to get up to in your free time.

One of the highlights of volunteering in Thailand is the pristine beaches. With stunning snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities, it’s a great destination to choose if you’re interested in marine life. For others, there’s always the chance to relax on the beach in the warm glow of the sun.

One must-see while you’re there is the Tiger Cave Temple. With its rich history and ornate statues, it’s an experience not to miss. Be prepared for a steep walk up 1,237 steps! But once you get to the top, the views make it all worth it.

Exploring the Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, with its mysterious caves and sparkling waterfalls, is the perfect way to spend a Saturday or Sunday.

We run many different projects in Thailand, so there will likely be other volunteers relishing in this experience with you. You can choose to travel alone or with other volunteers.

SAFETY AND STAFF SUPPORT

Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on-hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.

Meet the team in Thailand

Parichart Chaipikul (Ant)

Country Director

Ant started working as the Director of our teaching and care projects in July 2007 after moving to Krabi from Chang Mai. She used to work in the shipping business. She took over as Thailand Country Director in November 2012. She enjoys working with people from all over the world and in her free time likes travel, photography and spending time with her boyfriend.

Meet the team in Thailand

Apornpradab Buasi

Volunteer Manager

Apornpradab, or Nou, as she is known, originally worked for Projects Abroad in Thailand from March 2007 to July 2009, when she left to have a baby. Now that Nou's daughter, Mali is getting older, she has rejoined the staff team from December 2011. Nou enjoys cooking.

Meet the team in Thailand

Andrea Rugo

Marine Biologist

Andrea was born in Italy and lived in Abu Dhabi during his childhood. He studied Environmental Biology and Marine Ecosystems at the University of Trieste. After obtaining his Master's degree, he started travelling and working in countries such as Brazil, Greece and the Maldives. He first experienced volunteering at an NGO in Cambodia, which got him involved in marine biology field work. He also loves to dive and has obtained his dive instructor certificate.

Meet the team in Thailand

Montira Reijner

Volunteer Coordinator

Montira joined the Projects Abroad Thailand team in September 2014. Having a Dutch father and a Thai mother, allowed her the privilege of experiencing both cultures while growing up. For 8 years she worked as a sales and marketing manager in Brussels, before she joined several Marine Conservation projects in Fiji, Iceland and Vietnam. She is a PADI divemaster and has love for anthropology and conservation. Montira is currently responsible for the Environmental & Climate Change project.

Meet the team in Thailand

Vishal Pawa

Conservation Project Manager

‘Vi’ has been part of the Projects Abroad team for three years. He was born in Japan, but is of Indian decent and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Australia. Vi is passionate about wildlife and loves the outdoors. He also enjoys playing soccer with his friends.

Meet the team in Thailand

Imane Valsan

Volunteer Advisor

Imane was born in France. After studying history and literature, she decided to travel to Africa. She is always interested in discovering something new and started working for Projects Abroad in July 2015 as a Volunteer Advisor.

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